Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'comma'

English Word: comma

Key Russian Translations:

• запятая [zɐˈpʲatəjə] - [Formal, Standard Usage]

Frequency: Medium

Difficulty: A2 (Beginner to Intermediate)

Pronunciation (Russian):

запятая: [zɐˈpʲatəjə]

Note on запятая: Pay attention to the stress on the second syllable. The 'я' sound is a soft vowel, pronounced with a slight 'y' glide before 'a'.

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

1. Punctuation Mark (Comma)

Translation(s) & Context:

• запятая - Used to refer to the punctuation mark in writing and grammar contexts.

Usage Examples:

• В этом предложении нужно поставить запятую.

  A comma needs to be placed in this sentence.

• Запятая отделяет придаточные части сложного предложения.

  A comma separates subordinate clauses in a complex sentence.

• Учитель объяснил правила постановки запятых.

  The teacher explained the rules for placing commas.

• Без запятой смысл предложения может измениться.

  Without a comma, the meaning of the sentence can change.

• Она часто забывает ставить запятые в письмах.

  She often forgets to put commas in her letters.

Russian Forms/Inflections:

запятая is a feminine noun in Russian. It follows the standard declension pattern for feminine nouns ending in -ая.

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

Synonyms:

• Нет прямых синонимов (No direct synonyms, as it is a specific term)

Antonyms:

• Нет прямых антонимов (No direct antonyms, as it is a specific term)

Related Phrases:

• ставить запятую - To place a comma (in writing).
• запятая перед союзом - A comma before a conjunction (a grammar rule discussion).
• ошибка с запятой - A mistake with a comma (referring to incorrect punctuation).

Usage Notes:

• The Russian word "запятая" directly corresponds to the English "comma" and is used exclusively in the context of punctuation.
• Russian punctuation rules for commas differ from English in some cases, especially in complex sentences and before conjunctions like "и" (and), where a comma is often required in Russian but not in English.
• This term is neutral in register and can be used in both formal and informal contexts when discussing grammar or writing.

Common Errors:

• Error: English learners may forget to use the correct case form of "запятая" when it appears in different grammatical contexts. For example, saying "ставить запятая" instead of "ставить запятую" (Accusative case).
• Correction: Always adjust the noun to the required case based on the verb or preposition. Correct: "ставить запятую".
• Error: Mispronouncing the stress as [ˈzɐpʲatəjə] (stress on first syllable) instead of [zɐˈpʲatəjə] (stress on second syllable).
• Correction: Practice placing the stress on the second syllable to avoid sounding unnatural.

Cultural Notes:

In Russian, correct comma placement is highly emphasized in education and formal writing, often more strictly than in English. Errors in comma usage are considered significant mistakes in school essays and professional texts, reflecting a cultural focus on grammatical precision.

Related Concepts:

• точка (period, dot)
• двоеточие (colon)
• точка с запятой (semicolon)
• знаки препинания (punctuation marks)